Recreational Equipment, Inc. was named the “Employer of the Year” at the 2008 World Retail Congress.


The World Retail Congress “Employer of the Year” award celebrates retailers that demonstrate policies and initiatives that make their company a truly popular place to work. REI was recognized for its commitment to employee engagement and the cooperative business model, which also attributes to a positive in-store experience for members and customers.


The 2008 Congress was held in Barcelona, Spain earlier this month. The event draws global business leaders from more than 45 countries that discuss organizational successes and industry trends through plenary sessions and private meetings. World Retail Congress judges represent leading retailers, business schools, government, public and private sector organizations and think tanks. As one of two new categories in 2008, the “Employer of the Year” award was one of 10 awards presented at the event.


Earlier this year, REI was also again named to FORTUNE magazine's “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” The company has been recognized on the “100 Best” list for 11 consecutive years.